Lots Of Love, Joy, 13 Kids To Show For It

December 15, 2002|By HANNELORE MCDONALD Daily Press

A soldier from Brooklyn, N.Y., met a girl from Staten Island, N.Y., in 1940 at a USO dance. After courting for two years, Agnes Hillis and George Liakos began their life together on Dec. 12, 1942, at Sacred Heart Church on Staten Island, N.Y.

Sixty years later, on Dec. 12, their 13 children celebrated their parents' 60th wedding anniversary with dinner at the Briar Patch Tea Room in Poquoson.

George came to this area in 1946 when he was ordered to Fort Eustis. Agnes and their four children joined him after they were assigned government quarters. Located where Bland and McManus Boulevards now intersect, the housing was barely adequate. A wood-burning stove provided heat and the means to cook hot meals.

Their next assignment took them to Japan where their sixth daughter was born. After completion of that tour, Agnes and the children then stayed at Fort Eustis and waited for George's return from his various tours of duty.

Over the years, the couple had seven more children. "We always had somebody to play with and to talk to," said their daughter, Kathy Ames.

Their youngest daughter, Virginia Staley, recalls Sunday afternoons at Grandview Beach, clamming and swimming off Chesapeake Avenue, family games of kickball, cookouts, holidays and telling "Remember when ..." stories.

With 13 children, Agnes' days were busy. She did at least two loads of laundry each day and hung them out on a clothesline to dry. She baked cookies and cakes, volunteered at the schools the children attended, held PTA positions and was a "Pink Lady" volunteer at Mary Immaculate Hospital when it was still on Buxton Avenue.

George retired as Master Sergeant from the military in 1961 and put down permanent roots with the purchase of their home on Blair Avenue, where they still reside. He retired again from Sonat Marine in 1987.

Not ones to sit still after raising their children, Agnes and George put their energy into helping their community. Agnes is involved with the Seniors Group at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church where they have been members for over 45 years and where she was an instrumental part in establishing its Back-Door Ministry.

George is an active member in the Korean War Veterans Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

The children have families of their own, but the Liakos' home is far from empty with their 28 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. "Somebody is always visiting and dropping by," laughed Virginia. "We are a very close family. I visit my parents and try to keep up with my sisters and brothers."